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CWU Craft Beer Certificate Students Get a Taste of Commercial Brewing

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Beer aficionados across Washington are now getting their first sips of Hops in the Wind, a brew developed by former Central Washington University students Cameron Frigon, Noah Palmer, and Ronald Kaufmann.

Last spring, the three, who were then enrolled in the university’s Craft Beer Trade Certificate program, were among the CWU craft-brewing students competing to see who could make the best craft beer, with an accompanying marketing plan.

As the victor, the Hops in the Wind recipe is now being commercially produced and sold by the CWU competition’s sponsor, Odin Brewing Company of Seattle.

“This was our first such effort with CWU,” said Dan Lee, Odin Brewing managing member. “We’re hopeful that it becomes the centerpiece of a much larger program in the future with more participants and sponsors.”

Hops in the Wind is a Northwest Imperial Pale Ale, which feature two-row barley and hop varieties grown in Washington, including one of Yakima’s newest hop varieties, Mosaic.

“This beer was brewed with a local focus,” said Kaufmann. “It was made with CWU students, alumni, and residents in mind—those who share a connection with the heart of Washington and enjoy good craft beer.”

Hops in the Wind debuted earlier this month at Yakima’s 2013 Fresh Hop Ale Festival. Odin Brewing is now distributing it statewide, with a limited supply to be made available in Ellensburg, Yakima, and select Seattle locations.

On the Hops in the Wind commercial debut, Palmer says it “has made me very proud, and gives me confidence to keep crafting new recipes.”

CWU’s Craft Beer Trade Certificate program provides students with an overview of the art, science, technology, and business aspects of the craft beer industry. The four, 10-week courses involve laboratory work, hands-on experience, lectures, field trips, and industry speakers.